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General Assembly 2008: Online child exploitation is a serious concern

The Kirk's Safeguarding Committee will tell the General Assembly that child exploitation online is a serious cause for concern.

The issue of Internet security through social networking websites has been prominent in the news, and the Committee is worried that these risks are not being addressed properly:

" Part of the on-going awareness raising is helping parents and others responsible to be aware of the dangers associated with the Internet.

" It is a sad reflection that as we develop more robust measures of protection then the threats to children become more varied and diverse."(p.2, para 1)

The Church of Scotland currently has 1769 Safeguarding co-ordinators, and over the last year the Safeguarding Office has processed more than 4,500 disclosure applications on behalf of congregations. On average there are two child protection training events being run each week.

As representatives of the country's largest voluntary organisation the Safeguarding Office has had a continued dialogue with MSPs and government officials in relation Safeguarding Law. This year's report was expected to centre around the Scottish Government's Protection of Vulnerable Groups (Scotland) 2007 legislation, but the consultation period was extended and the Bill is unlikely to come into force until 2009.

However, it has still been a challenging year for the team:

"Despite this delay there is no doubt that Safeguarding continues to be a rapidly developing area of the Church's work.

" While staff of the Safeguarding Office are closely involved in the consultation process regarding the new legislation they have also been committed to the Safeguarding task and its development... (p.2, para 1)

"Once the obligations of this legislation become clear the Safeguarding Office will embark on producing all the policies and guidelines that will be required to ensure Presbyteries and congregations comply fully...(p.6, para 2)

"Safeguarding continues to evolve and as it does the under-pinning maxim remains which is to be as sure as possible that Jesus' example of care, compassion and welcome to all those who are vulnerable will be offered to the highest standard of Safeguarding possible." (p.2, para 5)

Ends

Note to Editors:

A full copy of the report is available on our General Assembly pages online here.

GANR/30/05/08

Friday 9, May 2008

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